It was a morning of music and dance at Pacific Island Fitness as Rock Steady Boxing, a unique exercise class for individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, got to work.
The class, which takes place 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays is led by senior fitness instructor Caitlan Raymond, whose motto is: “no mercy.”
“She pushes us — it’s good” said Donna St. John, who has had Parkinson’s for 20 years and started the Rock Steady Boxing Kona program with her husband Tom.
Raymond began this week’s class with a series of stretches and voice movements.
“We get loud,” she said. “We start by getting the voice activated, get the body moving, get some oxygen in the lungs.”
After, she had participants practice yelling their name and playing basketball. If participants missed the basket, they had to do squats. If she saw someone “taking a break,” they had to do jumping jacks.
While there is still no cure for Parkinson’s disease, research shows that rigorous exercise could favorably impact an individual’s range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait and activities of daily living. At Rock Steady Boxing, the mission is to “equip our affiliates and empower our coaches to improve quality of those for those with Parkinson’s disease.”
The Kona program began in spring 2020, just as the pandemic took hold. While classes ultimately had to be halted, they resumed in April 2021 and have been going strong ever since.
According to Tom St. John, about 10 to 12 participants each week, who keep coming back to connect with the community and boost their confidence.
“It’s important to get people with Parkinson’s out of the house,” he explained. “It’s not only about exercise, (the program) gives people the confidence to go out and be social.”
Rock Steady Boxing receives funding and support through the Hawaiian Parkinson’s Association. The funding helped the Kona program purchase equipment, and provide training to certify four trainers in the Rock Steady Boxing program. Pacific Island Fitness provided the space, and includes the program for its own gym members.
However, not everyone who takes part is a gym member or lives on the Big Island full-time. The “snowbirds,” often partake in Rock Steady Boxing classes wherever they can.
For Kathy and Roger Michelson, who live in Wisconsin, the class means that Roger, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018, can get his frustrations “out on the bag” no matter where they are in the world.
“Roger enjoys it here,” said Kathy. “He gets his frustration out on the bag. That bag is Parkinson’s. He’s healthier. He’s standing straight here. The people here and the comrades we get here is just amazing.”
Often times, participants will bring a spouse along with them to catch them if they fall.
“I’m a porter man, so we help when they need it. I know when some of them have to take a break, I see it in their face. I see their eyes. I’ve had to catch people. That’s just part of it,” Kathy continued.
But the class is beneficial for spouses as well, who get to connect with other caregivers in the group.
“As a caregiver, you don’t know what you’re getting into. It’s been beneficial for me as well. Seeing different people. Getting motivated. The community is awesome,” Kathy said.
Rock Steady Boxing, Inc., a nonprofit organization, was founded in Indianapolis in 2006 with six participants. Participation has steadily increased to more than 55,000 members today, including men and women ranging in age from 35 to 90. Classes are geared to people at all stages of Parkinson’s disease. The cost of the class is usually covered by Medicare supplement plans.
For more information on the Kona program, or to sign up, contact Tom St. John at (925) 785-6093.